COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff has confirmed the state's first reported Measles case since 2019 on Thursday.

The infected Franklin County child recently traveled to a foreign country with confirmed Measles cases. ODH is currently not disclosing anymore information about the infected child.

The CDC notes that as of June 3, 2022, a total of three Measles cases were reported by two jurisdictions.

Since 2009, Ohio has confirmed a total of 390 Measles cases including this one, with 382 of which being reported only in the year 2014.

Dr. Vanderhoff is now reminding Ohioans the importance of getting vaccinated against preventable diseases such as Measles.

"Vaccines protect us from preventable, communicable diseases," Vanderhoff said.

Measles is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. If one person has Measles, up to 90% of those who come in contact with that person and are not immune will get infected.

The virus can live up to two hours in the air where an infected person coughed or sneezed.

People infected with Measles can spread it to others from four days before, through four days after a rash appears.

Measles is still common in many parts of the world with large outbreaks occurring in countries such as Nigeria, India, Somalia, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Liberia, Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire.

Symptoms include a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and red watery eyes. The rash usually lasts five to six days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck and proceeds down the body.

Diarrhea and ear infections are also common complications with Measles. More severe complications could also occur.

Anyone planning on travelling internationally should contact their healthcare provider to ensure they are fully protected against Measles.